Showalter Facing Difficult Decisions

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Down to the last week of spring training, Yankees manager Buck Showalter faces some tough decisions.

Before the Yankees' 3-2, 11-inning loss to Montreal Sunday, he acknowledged some may be painful.

It appears the most difficult concern the impending departures of Hensley Meulens and Bernie Williams. Both were top prospects not long ago, but now it seems their only chance to stay in the major leagues is if they are traded.

There is interest. The Expos have inquired about Meulens. Their switch of starting pitchers from Chris Nabholz to Brian Barnes was believed a showcase move, but the Yankees don't consider the lefthander, 25, fair value for Meulens. Williams is coveted by several clubs.

But the Yankees' best chance for a deal remains with the White Sox, who have renewed talks about Jesse Barfield. "We're talking, but they're not offering enough," said general manager Gene Michael.

A club source said the Yankees have been offered righthander Johnny Ruffin, 20, who was 11-4 wity a 3.23 ERA at Class A Sarasota last year, but Michael is holding out for lefthander Wilson Alvarez and would prefer to have both.

"I can't count on deals being made," Showalter said. "I have to rely on the people I have here, and we're nearing the point where I have to have long talks with some people."

A talk with Meulens would not go smoothly. Charlie Hayes is thought to have won the third base job. Hayes is batting .286 with nine RBI in 15 games and his fielding (no errors) has been well above average. The Yankees value defense at third. Meulens has made four errors in 10 games and was batting .152 before going 3-for-5 Sunday to raise his average to .211. Nine of his 10 RBI have come on home runs -- two grand slams and a solo.

Since Showalter intends to carry 11 pitchers, three catchers and five outfielders, he can only take six infielders. Two are first basemen, Don Mattingly and sometime DH Kevin Maas. Second baseman Pat Kelly, shortstop Mike Gallego, a utilityman (probably Randy Velarde) and the third base winner would be the others. The Yankees have options left on Meulens. If he is not traded, he will

be sent to Triple A Columbus.

"That's not where my career is going to be," Meulens said. "I don't want that way. I have nothing more to prove at Triple A."

Meulens was the opening day left fielder last season but lost the job to Mel Hall and ended up batting .222 with six home runs, 29 RBI and 97 strikeouts in 288 at-bats. The signing of free agent Danny Tartabull bounced Meulens from the outfield, but he said he was not notified about playing third base until Showalter contacted him 12 days before the start of camp.

"I went to winter ball, and they never said anything," Meulens said. "I was comfortable in the outfield. I didn't want to go back to third. I haven't played there since the middle of 1990."

Attorneys for Steve Howe have indicated they will seek to suppress a confession made by Howe and have charges dropped against Howe for possessing cocaine at hearing today in Missoula, Mont.

The hearing is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Bart Erickson.

Howe's attorneys claim he was coerced by federal drug agents into writing the confession, and contend they believe the governemnt is using "selective prosecution" because Howe is a well-known sports figure.

Howe, who will attend the hearing, is charged with attempting to buy one gram of cocaine Dec. 19 in Kalispell, and with possessing two grams of cocaine between Nov. 23 and Dec. 19 in Whitefish.